Patti and Maxie Quinn are beginning a renovation of Antique Alley in Belleair Bluffs.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS – A re-imaging is under way for Antique Alley on Indian Rocks Road, a longtime destination for area antique lovers that has faded somewhat in recent years.

The new owners of the buildings along the north part of the complex are envisioning an infusion of new tenants that would include “more than just antiques.”

Shops selling vintage, shabby chic and handcrafted items, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and “all kinds of different looks” could be added, said Patti Quinn, who now owns half of Antique Alley along with her husband, Maxie. The south half continues to be owned by Betty McCord.

The aim is to widen the customer base by meeting today’s needs, and “bring Antique Alley back to life, as the destination place it was 10 or 15 years ago,” Patti Quinn said.

A lifetime local resident, Patti Quinn said she well recalls Antique Alley’s glory days. She mentioned Franklin, North Carolina, a resort town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as the prototype for the type of tenant they would like to attract.

The Quinn’s property includes the two large French Provincial-style buildings at the front as well as a row of 10 750-square-foot shops and 20 garage storage spaces. A Realtor will remain in the front building. Four antique shops and 10 storage spaces are occupied, and those tenants will stay on, Quinn indicated.

For the rest, she said, “We want to find people who can help us create an eclectic village of unique type shops.” The storage spaces could be rented by crafters, such as a woodworker who is there now, who could work out of the front of their area, Quinn said.

The Quinns plan to take over the largest structure in the complex, which was formerly occupied by the French Hen restaurant, for their own venture. Their Petal and Vine garden shop and local market will feature gifts, fresh stemmed flowers and custom-potted plants, “foodie” items, some fresh produce and more, Quinn said.

A soft opening date for the “new” Antique Alley is planned for mid-August, with a full-blown grand opening in late September. To accommodate the expected influx of new customers, the Quinns are looking into adding parking spaces behind the row of shops.

Patti Quinn said she had spoken to Betty McCord, longtime owner of the other antique shops on the property, about the plans for change.

“Betty sees this as a joint venture to be successful, and is very excited about what we are doing,” Quinn said. “She believes we can share customers and parking, and work closely together.”

Patti and Maxie Quinn are dedicated entrepreneurs who together owned Dyco Paints in Clearwater for more than 40 years. After selling the business, they said they missed the contact with people and challenges of the business world. Both said they are really looking forward to making Antique Alley a destination-shopping place once again.

“Instead of local people going to South Tampa for specialty shops, we want to draw Tampa people over here,” Patti said.